Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has resurfaced in Washington D.C., months after the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) placed him on an Interpol Red Notice for allegedly using public office for personal gain.
His appearance in the U.S. follows a long-running standoff with the OSP, which in June 2025 officially re-declared him a wanted person after he failed to honour repeated invitations to appear for questioning.
Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng explained at a June 2 press briefing that efforts to secure Mr Ofori-Atta’s cooperation had been repeatedly ignored despite multiple notifications.
“We want him here physically, and we insist on it. A suspect in a criminal investigation does not pick and choose how the investigative body conducts its investigations and the methods suitable to him and his convenience.
“We will not countenance this conduct, not in this case,” he stated.
The OSP’s investigation covers five major areas during Ofori-Atta’s tenure under President Nana Akufo-Addo, including petroleum and minerals revenue assurance contracts, the termination of an Electricity Company of Ghana deal, procurement issues surrounding the National Cathedral project, ambulance purchases, and the handling of tax P-Fund accounts at the Ghana Revenue Authority.
Mr Ofori-Atta, who was first declared wanted in February 2025, cited medical reasons for his absence abroad and provided a doctor’s note with no definite return date.
After he later promised to return in May, the OSP temporarily removed his name from the wanted list. However, when he again failed to appear by the June deadline, the OSP reinstated the notice and pursued Interpol action to facilitate his extradition.
His legal team has challenged the OSP’s actions in court, arguing that the initial declaration was unlawful and seeking compensation.
The Accra High Court heard his interim application in March, but the OSP maintained its stance, insisting on his personal appearance to answer questions related to the corruption and corruption-related offences under investigation.
